CHRISTIAN BENTEKE has put Arsenal on red alert by claiming he will leave Aston Villa if the Gunners come in for him.

The in-demand Belgium striker scored 19 Premier League goals in a sensational debut season at Villa Park, having arrived from Genk for £7million.

But now he has told manager Paul Lambert he will be the one that decides whether he stays or goes, alerting the Gunners, Tottenham and Atletico Madrid, the latest club to enter the race for his signature.

The Spaniards are set to get a £50m windfall from the sale of Radamel Falcao this summer and have turned their attentions to Benteke.

The 22-year-old had said he would discuss a new deal at Villa after returning from international duties against the US and Serbia. But these latest words from him cast a shadow over his future.

Benteke has told boss Paul Lambert that he will dictate if he stays or goes

If the chance comes up for me to join a club like Arsenal, I am convinced that we can reach a compromise where everybody comes out a winner

Christian Benteke

“I hope that if I leave my club a deal can be done more quickly than the one last year,” he said.

“There is no point in me getting into a tug-of-war with Villa, and I don’t think there is any need for one. If the chance comes up for me to join a club like Arsenal, I am convinced that we can reach a compromise where everybody comes out a winner.

“If Villa say that I have to stay put, I will find it hard to accept. I don’t want to be left with regrets about not getting the most out of my career. It’s only normal for there to be transfer rumours about me. I have done my job on the pitch. It could be risky to change clubs a year before the World Cup finals. When a situation arises, I will weigh up the pros and cons with my family, as I cannot afford to make a mistake.”

Benteke has suggested the Emirates is where he wants to be playing his football next season

Villa will not accept anything less than £20m for Benteke, who has now handed the matter to his agent.

“I have asked my agent not to bother me with transfer talk while I am away on Belgium duty,” he said.

“It’s now down to him to do his job.

“I have known him since I was 14 years old, and I have complete confidence in him.”